Cramps

[Claremont2023]

Has anyone had trouble with leg cramps, especially at night? I am getting bad cramp in both ankle joints & reaching up the shin especially on right leg. It is unbearable & is impossible to sleep until it stops. I have a magnesium spray & douse both legs with it plus taking a magnesium tablet per day. Yesterday for the first time it happened while I was out during the day & had to stop walking till it eased. I’m going to call doctors for emergency appointment tomorrow morning. 🤞

Any advice?

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Now you have posted you can see related posts - very common… and many use magnesium supplements or sprays -

This link is about the different types of magnesium - so you need to choose wisely -some have a laxative effect -

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Where in the ankles is the pain? And are you sure it is muscle cramp?

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

It’s actually right in both ankle joints & it’s quite numb for about 8” above right ankle at front.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremont2023]

That could be shin splints rather than muscle cramp - ask for an appointment with the GP because there are lots of potential causes and it needs to be investigated by a professional.

healthline.com/health/numbn...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m calling doctors first thing tomorrow for emergency apt. Do shin splints go into ankle joint?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremont2023]

Yes, the pain probably derives from a tight ankle joint - which is why I say you need medical advice rather than assume it is cramp.

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

OK thank you for the advice, lets see what tomorrow brings.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremont2023]

Indeed - and let us know what they say.

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

will do.

[Bothan in reply to Claremont2023]

I added Potassium tablets and worked for me. Did find the magnesium great.

[Claremont2023 in reply to Bothan]

Would I get Potassium from say Holland & Barrett?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Claremont2023]

very likely ...

[Bothan in reply to Claremont2023]

Yes I would say, I'm in Ireland and got them from my local health shop

[Claremont2023 in reply to Bothan]

Ok when I get rid of this pesky Covid I’ll try & get some. Thank you!

[Claremont2023]

well, I’ve just solved some of my problem - I have just tested positive for Covid. I began feeling worse this afternoon so thought best to test before Doctors tomorrow. I obviously won’t go now but maybe later this week.

Question. Yesterday I booked my Covid jab for bext Saturday, should I move it back a week or so?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremont2023]

Hard luck - just to prove it is still out there! Hope you recover quickly.

I think it is usually recommended to wait a month after testing negative to have a booster.

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

Oh thank you both for that. I’ll cancel tomorrow & rebook

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Claremont2023]

Yes, usual advice is don’t have a booster until 4 weeks after Covid itself….

[Motida in reply to Claremont2023]

Sorry to hear you have covid on top of the cramps. Hope it passes quickly. They are offering Moderna boosters in N London now, so your news has prompted me to book. Have avoided booster 5 and 6 because it was suggested that the Pfizer vaccine triggered my PMR - but who knows?

I have bad cramps in shins, inside upper leg, feet and hands for years. I use a deep heat spray and it goes in about 5 mins, also take Magnesium supplements. The spray brings circulation and oxygen to the cramped parts apparently.

I take some low raw salt at supper time on food. I dont eat processed food much apart from pitta bread, and am aware of the daily 6 gm of salt as the safe maximum. Glad to say if I take the salt I dont get night cramps. I looked back on contributions 2 years ago and saw a GP advised drinking a glass of salt water!

[Tribie]

Yes I have been suffering from severe cramps/spasms, in my legs and feet, inner thighs, and hands - suddenly a finger becomes impossible to straighten! Very unpleasant. My magnesium levels are fine ( had blood test) but I was on alendronic acid which has cramps as a side effect, so I stopped it for 3 weeks and the cramps, by and large, disappeared. So am not taking AA at the moment, however they’re slowly creeping back so I don’t know what to make of it. I did have some cramps before PMR but they’ve got worse.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tribie]

The blood level does not always reflect the level in the muscle cells which is where it matters. The blood level is kept in a narrow range and scavenges from the magnesium in the muscles to keep it there. The blood level can still look fine while the muscle level is very low.

[Tribie in reply to PMRpro]

Oh right, so would it be a good idea to supplement anyway?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tribie]

Depends - it is always worth trying if you are having cramps. It is the first thing mentioned here by any doctor if you complain of cramps - and even if you have irregular heart beats!

[Tribie in reply to PMRpro]

OK many thanks, off to the chemist!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tribie]

Do supermarkets sell it in the UK? Every corner shop has magnesium here!!!

[Tribie in reply to PMRpro]

Yes very likely, I just like to check in optimal dosage etc, usually do it online but as I’m going out anyway…

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

I get mine from Holland & Barratt. I also take Alendronic Acid , wonder if that should be mentioned to Doctor when I eventually get there

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremont2023]

Are you on calcium supplements with the AA? That can cause low calcium if you aren't taking enough calcium and it might be worth getting the GP to check your blood level - that can also cause cramps.

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I’m on Calci D & also take calcium with my vitamins.

[Oliveoilsourdough]

Sorry to hear you have covid. Whilst your resting and recovering, up your water intake . I have had extremely painful cramps in inner thigh and in left leg shin for years at night. I have tights calves, if I stretch them every day , drink at least 1.5 liters of water it keeps it at bay . I even drink at least half a liter overnight . I get up for a wee sometimes twice. But its better than the excruciating cramps . Keep your legs warm in bed too as cold can cause cramps . Through the winter I wore woollen leg warmers . Bananas are a good sauce of magnesium too . All these things helped . BUT WATER is the best . I hope this helps .

[Claremont2023 in reply to Oliveoilsourdough]

Thanks for your answer. I have a banana every day & do try to drink lots of water, but have often wondered if i wasn’t drinking enough. I’ll up the intake starting today.

[ncfaaeos]

I have had this problem - magnesium supplements helped.

[Pixix]

Yes, I e had a lot of leg cramp &muscle cramps, some connected to another diagnosis Ihave. Magnesium helped, but quinine helps me more than anything. But it’s out of ‘fashion’, I don’t know why, & perhaps there’s a good reason for that. Mine was mainly in my calf, though. I do have problems with my ankles, but not cramp! I do stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis, & I think the stretching helps the cramp issue, too! Sorry to read you have Covid…perhaps it’s connected?!

[Claremont2023 in reply to Pixix]

I have had the ankle cramp for quite a while so not linked to Covid. Wish it were that simple 🙁

[Claremont2023 in reply to Claremont2023]

Someone else mentioned Quinine. It used to be in Tonic Water but don’t think it is anymore. Where can you buy it?

[Pixix in reply to Claremont2023]

Shame…I as thinking the cramps could be related, as ‘flu gives bad leg cramps as a symptom, so thought perhaps Covid is the same. Life is never that simple! Used to be able to buy quinine tabs at any pharmacy, but I’ve a feeling they don’t mix with some other pills…you’d have to check that against any other pills you take, including pred! I remember my father was taken off them when he got atrial fibrillation & new meds. You’d have to drink gallons of tonic, & no, I’m not sure it’s in there now! Dads cramps were so bad…I remember him disappearing outside at a restaurant while we were in middle of a meal…rushing out of a very quiet classical piano recital we were at etc! Good job he was light on his feet.